Syncopation

Lesson 3/31 | Study Time: 5 Min
Course: Rhythm Section Method for Bass & Drums
Syncopation

Syncopation

Any note or phrase where the rhythmic emphasis (attack) or accent(s) falls on the downbeat(s) (beats, 1, 2, 3 and 4 in * time) of a measure, is considered non-syncopated.

Therefore, a note or phrase is syncopated when the attack or accent(s) falls on the 'offbeat'(anywhere other than the 'downbeat').

Examples 15

Bass Part - In this example syncopation is introduced.

Drum Part - In this example the bass drum plays a syncopated line.

Staccato (Bass Only)

A dot below or above the note indicates that it is to be played staccato (short detached note).

Examples 16

Bass Part - This syncopated line introduces a staccato note on beat '3'.

Drum Part - Upon repetition of this 2 bar phrase, the bass drum plays three eighth notes in a row.

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Stephan Richter and Craig Lauritsen

Stephan Richter and Craig Lauritsen

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Class Sessions

1- Odd Time 2- Sixteenth Notes 3- INTRODUCTION 4- The Half Note 5- The Eight Note 6- Triplets 7- Explanation of Notation for Bass 8- <span class="symbolA">^</span> Time 9- Examples 66 and 67 10- Syncopation 11- Eighth Note Triplets 12- Shuffle Rhythm 13- 5/4 Time 14- The Tie 15- Tablature 16- Pick Up 17- Anticipation 18- Mixed Time 19- Explanation of Notation for Drums 20- The Quarter Note Triplet 21- <span class="symbolA">)</span> Time 22- Rudiments of Music 23- 7/4 Time 24- Time Signatures 25- Ghost Notes (Bass Only) 26- Repeat Signs 27- Sixteenth Note Triplets 28- Harmonics (Bass Only) 29- Understanding Note Values 30- Introductory Fill 31- First and Second Endings

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